Limited Nuclear War

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Questions and Answers

What is the concern about the Soviet Union's conventional actions in Western Europe?

It might not be deterred by the US nuclear retaliatory capability (correct)

It would lead to unrestricted general war

It would be a limited war with limited objectives

It would be deterred by the US nuclear retaliatory capability

What is the consequence of a threat of unrestricted general war?

It is a catastrophe with no predictable limits (correct)

It is an effective deterrent strategy

It is a mutually assured destruction scenario

It is a limited war with limited objectives

Why is the present-day diplomacy based on the deterrent value of atomic power in danger?

Because it is not flexible

Because it is outdated

Because it is strait-jacketed by fear of the very power we hold (correct)

Because it is too effective

What is the purpose of being ready to fight limited wars with limited objectives?

To avoid unlimited disaster Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern about the US being deterred from initiating nuclear use?

It would be deterred by the Soviet ability to carry out a nuclear strike Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that 'massive retaliation' will have to be openly recognized as obsolete?

Mutually assured destruction Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of limiting aims in conflict?

Not requiring utmost military effort Signup and view all the answers

How can an understanding of an adversary's thresholds be reached during a conflict?

Through diplomatic communication Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of preventing accidental escalation?

Communicating clear policies Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a situation where escalation was avoided?

The American ship in the port of Bari, Italy in 1943 Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand an adversary's thresholds?

To avoid crossing them inadvertently or accidentally Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of understanding an adversary's current thresholds?

To prevent escalation and avoid accidents Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason behind the avoidance of escalation in the mentioned historical incident?

The secret keeping of the presence of mustard to protect civilians and military personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of nuclear weapons in the concept of 'existential deterrence'?

To deter the use of nuclear weapons against vital interests Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of believing that nuclear weapons can be used as an instrument of national policy?

Manipulation of risk and development of specific forces structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative approach to believing that nuclear weapons can be used as an instrument of national policy?

Emphasis on nuclear danger and crisis stability Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea behind the concept of 'mutually assured destruction'?

Deterrence through the threat of devastating retaliation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of scholars who question the idea of using nuclear weapons as an instrument of national policy?

The concern is that it may lead to a nuclear exchange, even if limited, and that it is uncertain whether everyone would come to their senses in the heat of such an exchange. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the evolution of strategic nuclear doctrine in the context of international security?

It helps to understand the development of nuclear strategies and their impact on national security and international relations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme of the concept of 'mutually assured destruction'?

The concept of 'mutually assured destruction' is based on the idea that both parties in a conflict will be destroyed if they engage in nuclear warfare. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'existential deterrence' differ from other nuclear deterrence strategies?

Existential deterrence focuses on the mere existence of nuclear weapons as a deterrent, rather than their actual use or threatened use. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of arms control agreements in the context of nuclear warfare?

The primary goal of arms control agreements is to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the concept of 'limited war' in the context of nuclear strategy?

The concept of 'limited war' refers to the idea of fighting wars with limited objectives and avoiding all-out nuclear conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the concept of limited war in the context of nuclear strategy, and how does it relate to the goal of preventing accidental escalation?

Understanding limited war is crucial in nuclear strategy as it enables the avoidance of accidental escalation by limiting objectives and avoiding unrestricted general war. This concept is essential in preventing the escalation of conflicts into full-scale nuclear war. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea behind the concept of 'existential deterrence', and how does it differ from other nuclear deterrence strategies?

The core idea behind existential deterrence is that the threat of nuclear war is sufficient to deter an adversary, regardless of the specific circumstances or intentions. This concept differs from other nuclear deterrence strategies, such as mutually assured destruction, which relies on the threat of retaliation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of arms control agreements in the context of nuclear warfare, and how do they contribute to international security?

The primary goal of arms control agreements is to reduce the risk of nuclear war by limiting the number of nuclear weapons and preventing the proliferation of nuclear technology. These agreements contribute to international security by reducing the likelihood of nuclear conflict and promoting disarmament. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the evolution of strategic nuclear doctrine in the context of international security, and how has it impacted the development of deterrence strategies?

Understanding the evolution of strategic nuclear doctrine is crucial in understanding the development of deterrence strategies and the impact of nuclear weapons on international security. This knowledge helps to appreciate the complexities and challenges of nuclear policymaking and the importance of reducing the risk of nuclear war. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of being ready to fight limited wars with limited objectives, and how does this concept relate to the theory of nuclear war?

The purpose of being ready to fight limited wars with limited objectives is to prevent the escalation of conflicts into full-scale nuclear war. This concept is central to the theory of nuclear war, as it recognizes the devastating consequences of nuclear war and seeks to find ways to limit the objectives of conflicts and avoid escalation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern about the US being deterred from initiating nuclear use, and how does this relate to the concept of mutually assured destruction?

The concern about the US being deterred from initiating nuclear use is that it could lead to a loss of credibility and deterrence, as an adversary may not believe that the US would actually use nuclear weapons. This concern is related to the concept of mutually assured destruction, which relies on the threat of retaliation to deter an adversary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption of limited war strategy according to Osgood and Kaufmann?

That limited war cannot be a means of bringing about a radical alteration in the distribution of power. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key operational limits emphasized in the concept of limited war?

Geographical scope, weapons, and targets. Signup and view all the answers

What type of military systems and strategies were considered ideal for limited war?

Flexible and discriminating systems, strategies, and tactics capable of supporting limited objectives under a wide variety of conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the greatest challenge for Osgood in the context of limited war?

Adapting nuclear weapons to limited war requirements. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of distinguishing between strategic and tactical means and targets in limited war?

It allows for a clear distinction between these means and targets, enabling a more controlled and limited response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ground forces in limited war, according to Kissinger?

To respond to aggression locally, facilitating a clear distinction between strategic and tactical means and targets. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Limited War and Limited Nuclear War Options and Strategies

Obsolescence of Massive Retaliation: Bernard Brodie argues that the concept of massive retaliation will become obsolete when an opponent can retaliate with similar nuclear power, rendering it ineffective in deterring attacks on vital interests.
Deterrence and Limited War: Brodie suggests that limited wars with limited objectives are necessary to avoid unlimited disaster, as total war is a catastrophe with no predictable limits.
Assumptions about the Other Side: The Soviet Union might not be deterred by the US nuclear retaliatory capability, and the US might be deterred from initiating nuclear use due to the Soviet ability to retaliate.
Limiting War: Osgood proposes limiting war by controlling:
- Limiting aims
- Means employed
- Number of participants
- Geographic area
- Selected targets
- Temporal scope
- Extent of disruption (economic, social, political)
Preventing Escalation: To prevent escalation, it is essential to understand the adversary's thresholds and communicate policies clearly to avoid accidental or deliberate escalation.
The Bari Incident (1943): An American ship carrying mustard gas was hit in a German bombardment, releasing the gas, but the incident did not escalate due to the US and UK keeping it secret, rather than trust and communication.

Fundamental Questions on Nuclear Weapons

Role of Nuclear Weapons beyond Existential Deterrence: Can nuclear weapons be used as an instrument of national policy to advance goals beyond deterrence, or are they limited to existential deterrence?
Policies and Strategies: If yes, it leads to policies focused on manipulation of risk, development of specific forces, and capabilities for limited nuclear war. If no, it emphasizes nuclear danger, avoiding escalation, and enhancing crisis stability.

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Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of limited war and limited nuclear war options and strategies, highlighting the limitations of massive retaliation and the catastrophic consequences of unrestricted general war. Explore the thoughts of Bernard Brodie as cited by Ross, and test your knowledge of wartime politics and international relations. Delve into the complexities of nuclear deterrence and the unpredictable outcomes of large-scale conflict.